Hi - I have a 9 year old Fabia SDi 1.9 102K on the clock, runs bootifully (65-75mpg depending on how I drive). Replaced a 3 years + battery in Feb 2008, it failed (stopped holding a charge) a year later. Battery replaced under warranty. This 2nd battery failed same problem less than 10 months later replaced under warranty. Both batteries same brand supplied by major distributor. 3rd replacement just failed after 3 months - different brand this time - same symptoms - which I find odd. I last drove the car 8 days ago. It started without any problem. Did about 12 miles. Been on the drive since. Went to use the car this evening one sick splutter, wouldn't start. Same symptoms as previous failure. Fortunately supplier is 3 minute walk away & has been very good in the past sending someone round to jump start the car so I can get it round there.

Can I be this unlucky? I don't think it's the car draining the battery (on last 2 occasions supplier has replaced with hardly any pressure from me) otherwise surely they would fail a lot earlier than this? This battery didn't let me down all through the recent awful winter. So I conclude similar issue with cells failing & refusing to hold the charge once failure occurs. Is my diagnosis correct?

Any advice welcome.

You need to have the alternator output checked to make sure it isn't over charging. You can get the odd duff battery, but three in a row is very unusual. Alternator output should be between 13.8 to 14.4 Volts.

Had the same problem years ago four batts same make Ex__e. Eventually supplier gave me a different make ok after that.

Had the same problem years ago four batts same make Ex__e. Eventually supplier gave me a different make ok after that.

Many thanks for your replies guys. We'll see over the next few days. The guys from the place where the batts came from is going to jump start the car lunch time tomorrow. Then put the batt on test & check the car. When I was doing a high mileage a battery kept going then just stopped. Still I'll let you know the outcome but then I won't know if the new batt is OK for a month or so yet.

Many thanks for your replies guys. We'll see over the next few days. The guys from the place where the batts came from is going to jump start the car lunch time tomorrow. Then put the batt on test & check the car. When I was doing a high mileage a battery kept going then just stopped. Still I'll let you know the outcome but then I won't know if the new batt is OK for a month or so yet.

Can I ask that you check to make sure that the alternator light comes on when you turn the key?

If not it could be the alternator wires that is faulty

I broke down with a broken wire

So a bit of a search on here

Sarah

are you in the AA (or RAC i assume as well)? i called them out for flat battery, which i knew was duff as i was bump or jump starting every morning, the AA man before offering to sell me a battery checked my alternator and all the wiring, and then the price he offered me for a new battery was cheaper than i can get the same brand battery anywhere else around, i expected them to charge a silly price for a new battery and was amazingly shocked at the price he said, as i knew the battery needed replacing and looked around on line whilst i was waiting for the AA.

are you in the AA (or RAC i assume as well)? i called them out for flat battery, which i knew was duff as i was bump or jump starting every morning, the AA man before offering to sell me a battery checked my alternator and all the wiring, and then the price he offered me for a new battery was cheaper than i can get the same brand battery anywhere else around, i expected them to charge a silly price for a new battery and was amazingly shocked at the price he said, as i knew the battery needed replacing and looked around on line whilst i was waiting for the AA.

I think that this could be useful info for quite a few people, my mate runs old SAABs and he has sus'd out that when the AA buy parts for the car, they get them at trade price - so that is what you pay - or they take you to pay for the parts - can be quite handy it seems - especially for him running old SAABs that will usually need a new ignition cassette while he owns them!